REM have always been known as a political band, and that doesn’t stop just because they haven’t existed since 2011. During an interview about the new anniversary edition of their eleventh album “Up”, singer Michael Stipe also spoke of his mixed feelings when it comes to social media platforms.
He recently joined the petition www.artists4ceasefire.org which is pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza. He often posts comments and information about the situation there on Instagram – alongside small REM clips and lots of selfies.
How does he decide what to share with the public – and how? “I despise social media, in general. These platforms bring out the worst in people,” says Stipe. And then puts it into perspective: “During the pandemic, I also realized that for many people this is like the square in the city center where they talk about everything that is currently happening. And I’ve taken major detours in the past to avoid this place – but then again, I want to be a part of society. I really hope that there will be a better platform for communication soon, but for now we just have to work with what is there.”
It’s hard to fact-check on social media
He is aware that you can only offer small food for thought, not comprehensive analyses. But better than nothing: “I just support what I think is right. In times like now, social media is even more resonant than it already is. It’s very difficult to get involved in the conversation there when you realize that you always have to pay attention to whether something is real or not. What you see, what you hear: is that really true? I’m old-school, I want fact-checking, I want sources. This is rarely taken into account on social media; everything is ventilated far too quickly. So how do you immerse yourself in it?”
A question that you have to ask yourself every day – and that’s not enough, says the singer. “Besides, just commenting or liking or forwarding something is simply not enough. Some people think that they have done everything necessary. But that’s not enough! We have to do much more, we have to make our presence felt.”
On November 10th The “25th Anniversary Edition” of “Up” was released as a 2CD + Blu-ray, 2CD or 2LP version and digitally. You can read more about this in the December issue of ROLLING STONE.